A stress test is conducted to assess the heart’s response to the stress of physical activity. This allows your doctor to detect and diagnose heart problems that may not be apparent when your heart is resting. There are various types of stress tests and your doctor will pick the type depending on the procedure that he/she feels will give the best diagnosis of your heart’s condition.
ECG (Exercise electrocardiogram) stress test
In this test, you will have to walk on a treadmill while your heart is being monitored. The cardiologist examines the ECG reading and detects any change in your heart’s rhythm, increased or decreased blood flow to the heart, as well as other heart conditions. You will be required to abstain from food and water for at least four hours before the test and it will take half an hour to conduct this stress test. It is non-invasive and a safe test that can be done.
Exercise Echocardiogram
This test combines an ECG with an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram is performed by using ultrasound waves, which create images of the heart. Therefore, in this test, you will first be asked to lie down and rest and an echocardiogram will be taken. After this, you will be asked to walk on a treadmill and your pulse and blood pressure will be checked. The cardiologist will then take another echocardiogram immediately after the exercise. Both echocardiogram results are then compared to help the doctor determine the areas of the heart that aren’t getting sufficient blood supply. It also throws light on the changes in your heart beat and pulse. The preparation for this test is the same as that required for an ECG.
Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram
This test will be administered if you can’t exercise or run on the treadmill. Here, you will be given Dobutamine medication intravenously. Dobutamine can make your heart pump faster and create the same pressure as though you were exercising. Much like an exercise echocardiogram, two echocardiograms are done—once when your heart is resting and the second after you’ve been injected with dobutamine and the results are compared. This test takes about an hour and the preparation for this test is the same as that required for the above mentioned tests.
Myoview Stress Test
In this test, you will have small quantities of radioactive tracers injected in your body through an intravenous line in your arm. Meanwhile electrodes will be attached to your body and you will be asked to walk on a treadmill. The radiation injected in your body can be captured through a scanning camera. Two sets of images are captured—one when you’re exercising and the other when you are resting. The image identifies areas in your heart that have reduced blood supply and can even detect scarring from a previous heart attack.
This test takes a little longer to perform, around two to three hours as there is usually a one hour break between the resting images and the exercising images. Also, for this test, you will need to abstain from food for at least 12 hours before the test. You would also need to apprise your doctor about any medications that you are taking.
Persantine Myoview Stress Test
This is much like a Myoview stress test and is only ordered if you cannot exercise. Here too, radioactive tracer is injected and two sets of images are taken. Only, in the part where physical activity response needs to be captured, the cardiologist will inject you with Persantine, a medication that will mimic the effects of exercise on your heart. The preparation and time taken for this test is the same as that for Myoview stress test.
Stress tests are safe. All you need to do is follow your doctor’s instructions about any preparation for the test. In addition, it would be wise to wear loose clothing and comfortable walking shoes for the exercise.